as in to shed
to cast (a natural bodily covering or appendage) aside
a soap that promises to help me exfoliate all that dry, flaky skin I've apparently been carrying around
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Recent Examples of exfoliate
Aside from cosmetic shortcuts like highlighters, the fastest way to get a glowing complexion is to exfoliate, whether that’s by using a scrub, peel, or pad.
—
Emily Orofino, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2025
The attendant immediately got to business aggressively exfoliating my body with an abrasive towel.
—Anna Haines, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2025
Along with a full cleanse, exfoliating peel, deep hydration, LED massage and manual facial massage to lift and smooth, three rose-cut diamonds are applied to chakra points in the face and throat during the treatment.
—Kate Matthams, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
When combined with a hydrating face serum, your skin is less likely to feel stripped or flaky when using these exfoliating ingredients.
—Claire Sullivan, WWD, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exfoliate
Emily Orofino, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2025
The attendant immediately got to business aggressively exfoliating my body with an abrasive towel.
—Anna Haines, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2025
Along with a full cleanse, exfoliating peel, deep hydration, LED massage and manual facial massage to lift and smooth, three rose-cut diamonds are applied to chakra points in the face and throat during the treatment.
—Kate Matthams, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
When combined with a hydrating face serum, your skin is less likely to feel stripped or flaky when using these exfoliating ingredients.
—Claire Sullivan, WWD, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for exfoliate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exfoliate
Verb
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Silver buttercups, cow parsley and strawberry leaves fill a vase, while branches of apple blossom and Scots pine shed petals and pines, like a Dutch still life in precious metal.—
Kate Matthams,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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Several of the current PAC members spoke with Golfweek about an issue and shed some light on the path the event will take starting in the 2025 edition.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Recent federal proposals aim to peel back the curtain, mandating clearer disclosure of fees, rebates and spread pricing.—
Yasser Almuaala,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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Carefully peel the round from the tortilla press, place on the comal and cook on one side for 1 minute.—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
27 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exfoliate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exfoliate. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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